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Span focused on improving baserunning

4/3/13: Miguel Olivo sees Denard Span going for the steal and fires to second in advance of the runner for the second out of the fifth

By Bill Ladson
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MLB.com |

CINCINNATI -- Before Friday's game against the Reds, Nationals center fielder Denard Span was working on baserunning techniques with first-base coach Tony Tarasco.

While Tarasco calls Span a diligent baserunner, Span wants to become more efficient when it comes to stealing bases. He also wants to improve at picking up the opposing pitcher's moves toward the plate.

"He has already changed some of the bad habits that he had before and developed new habits. We are too early in the season to go over the numbers," Tarasco said. "He has done a good job making himself more efficient. He has made a few minor changes that will help him in a big way."

Before coming to the Nationals, Span would often take his eyes off the pitcher when trying to pick up the slide step.

"Now he starts running and keeps his eye on the pitcher. It makes a world of difference," Tarasco said.

Span started his Major League career with the Twins and said there wasn't as large an emphasis on baserunning as there is with the Nationals.

"In the short time I've been here, this is the most I've ever spent on [running] -- hands on -- as far as becoming a better basestealer," Span said. "In Minnesota, we wouldn't talk about it a lot. I'm not saying we didn't work on it, but it's only the second series of the season and [the Nationals] have done a lot so far."

Entering Friday's game against the Reds, Span attempted to steal second base once and was called out against the Marlins. Span said he would like to have a success rate of 75 to 80 percent.

"I didn't want to go, just to be going. I want to go at ideal times," Span said. "I want to help the team. It's not about me stealing 60 or 70 bases. That would be nice, but if I could steal 25 to 35 bases and it helps a ballclub and those stolen bases are meaningful -- if it is a good percentage -- that would be fine with me."